Why is .270 so restricted in factory ammo?

[wedger]

Now there are quite a few ammo manufacturers who produce 270, and with various styles of missile, but few choices in weight.

Whilst I enjoy ballistics very much and load just one at the mo to start with (.22-250) I am a novice at this considering present company. I don't know enough to see why most 270 missiles are 130g or 150g from the factory. Any comment - expert or not very welcome.

Wedge

 

[Dalua]

Apart from the 130 and 150 options, I've had Hornady 140gr SP and Remington (I think) 100gr PSP, SAKO 156gr and Norma 110gr factory loads.

I now load my own with Hornady 140gr BTSP bullets. If I didn't, I'd be using RWS 130gr loads, as my rifle liked those best of the factory offerings.

I think a lot of .270Win users would agree that 130gr is so very popular because balitically it makes the most of the cartridge.
150gr ends up more like a .308 than a .30-06, and the lighter ones are a waste of powder.
I went for 140gr as a compromise, and because I really would have liked a 7x64 rather than a .270.

 

[Taff]

I use 110 Norma, along with the 130 , never felt the need for anything else.

 

[TikkaFan]

Its not that popular but better than a .243 , go figure , if you are not careful with .243s you will be below the legal limit , especially with short barrels , dont believe the ammo box , chrono them, with a .270 you`ve no legal worries when at or above 100gr.

 

[Tackleberry270]

Because 130 does everything you need.

 

[wedger]

I am learning all the time and having shot .308 for some years with good success, yet never reloaded it, I thought to move on to 270, as a few other opportunities of venue/quarry wise came up and I would, perhaps play around with reloading again. BTW I've no problem with 243, and it is clearly a very popular round, but to me, seems to have less 'character' than others close by. I do believe in priorities. Accuracy, terminal efficiency and user comfort/satisfaction. A myriad of others but these three are critical to me and intrinsically linked. I'll persist with 270 and see were it takes me. There is so much to learn and enjoy, you have to start somewhere.

 

[Grand Slam]

I have a Browning A Bolt in .270win and have only ever put 150gn through it. Dropped everything from Muntjac to Red with no problems and minimal meat damage so as long as they keep pumping out the 150gn factory ammo then I will be a happy stalker.

 

[bewsher500]

Because 130 does everything you need.

^ this

I have over the years loaded 90 though 180gr in the .270

I now use 130gr soft points for everything with the exception of a new 100gr load I have worked up.....only due to inheriting 400 bullets no-one else wanted!!

.277" 100gr projectile at 33-3400fps is going to be messy!

 

[wedger]

Thank you grand Slam. I've heard from many who have never shot one, that 270 is a beast, and hits your shoulder hard, and a few old timers too who used to stalk for FC many years ago ( with the cheap 1950s stuff). My new Sako is a pussy cat with 130g and certainly no more than my Rem sporter 308 with 150g. Others have warned about carcass damage but I would strive to find the right load and missile for the job and concentrate on shot placement above all.

I'd be interested to here more from those worried about carcass damage. A mate has suggested this was a 'perceived' problem with 270, generically, where he stalks. Very confused by the 'fussy' comments.

 

[Ranger22]

Because 130 does everything you need.

this is why

 

[willyroe]

Great read.

I was thinking something similar the other day. Would be great to be able to put 100g or 110g ammo through my 30-06. Would be fast and as much as i hate the term "flat"!

 

[bewsher500]

I've heard from many who have never shot one,

that 270 is a beast, and hits your shoulder hard,

I'd be interested to here more from those worried about carcass damage.

common problem when asking about unfashionable calibres....or any calibre for that matter

if it kicks that hard it doesn't fit!
Recoil is physics, perceived recoil is fit, position and how much ******** you have been told before you shoot it by someone with an axe to grind (see point 1)

 

[Dalua]

this is why

It's probably why you can't get a wide variety of bullet-weights in the shops in this country - but it seems that factory loads of 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 and 156gr are all manufactured.

 

[Conure]

It is not only factory ammunition that lacks choice of bullet weight and style but the choice of bullets in .277" seems to be rather sparse. Although I really like the 270 Winchester cartridge this lack of choice of bullets suitable for range and target use has me considering a 7mm instead as the choice of bullets is wider. Luckily non expanding target type bullets can still be bought by mail as it seems that the choice in the shops of even 7mm bullets is not very good.

When I got my first 270 rifle many moons ago this was not a problem and the 130 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip shot very well out of my old BSA rifle. This rifle and load also shot well at 600 yards on the ranges at Bisley.

 

[dalriada]

The answer to this is because the manufacturers all offer this calibre in a ten twist only, the twist rate would need to be faster for it to stabilise heavier ammo, therefore the ammo manufacturers dont cater for something that isnt there...simples..

 

[bewsher500]

The answer to this is because the manufacturers all offer this calibre in a ten twist only, the twist rate would need to be faster for it to stabilise heavier ammo, therefore the ammo manufacturers dont cater for something that isnt there...simples..

1:10 shifts 180gr just fine...
not a twist issue

no possible energy or velocity benefit from chucking heavier lead at lower speeds

130 at 3100 is only matched by hand loading 150 at over 2900+ which is a stretch without pressure

 

[Taff]

Don,t know what people are on about when they talk about kick, I use a kimber 84 , 6lb 2oz, never notice the kick, I use to shoot a bsa cf2 freehand, they both fit me properly.
As to meat damage, proper bullet placement will solve that.
View attachment 65202
Just fitted a new scope this afternoon

 

[TSG]

I had zeroed my .270 yesterday at Kynamco indoor range.
110gr norma TTSX states 3347 on the box.
My rifle shoots them @3150fps with a max spread of 70fps over 5shot string.
For factory ammo I am more than happy to use it for deer stalking.

My friend (waaay better shot than I am) shot it before zero see below 3shot group. 2 of them were same hole.


And my humble attempt at Dsc1 target with 1" squares

 

[Tim.243]

Just picked one up so next week I will be setting it up and working to a 200 yard zero.

My local shop has a stack of rounds to choose from. been very happy with my .243 for the last 5 years but a couple of future opportunity's brewing here and abroad prompted the investment.

Both are the same brand, also both scope very closely matched so I will be able see what is the real difference apart from the obvious.


Tim.243

 

[FrenchieBoy]

common problem when asking about unfashionable calibres....or any calibre for that matter

if it kicks that hard it doesn't fit!
Recoil is physics, perceived recoil is fit, position and how much ******** you have been told before you shoot it by someone with an axe to grind (see point 1)

Brewsher has hit the nail straight on the head here!
I now own and use a Steyr Mannlicher Model M in .270, before that I used a Parker Hale Safari also in .270. They both had no more felt recoil than the .243 that I had previously-Because they fitted me properly!
My Mannlicher will give me an easy sub 1 inch group @100 yards using PPU 130g Softpoints and drops any legal UK quarry that I care to shoot with it without any problems.
I have to admit that I haven't tried 150g ammunition through the Mannlicher yet but that is because I see no need to as the 130g does everything I want of it, and at under a tenner a box I am not complaining!
As such I don't feel the need for going back down the reloading route with different weights of ammunition so the limited weights available doesn't effect or concern me.